|
Company: Empire Today, LLC, Northlake, IL
Company Description: Empire was found in 1959 as a Chicago-based, family-owned business. Over 60 years later, the company has grown to service residential and business customers in over 75 metropolitan areas across the United States. Empire provides installed home improvements and home furnishings including Carpet, Hardwood, Laminate, Ceramic, Vinyl and Window Treatments to residential and commercial customers.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Consumer Products - Durables - Large
 Nomination Title: Empire Today
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since January 1 2020, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 102 words used.
Empire Today® is the nation’s largest in-home provider of carpet and hard surface flooring in the United States. Our mission statement, “Making beautiful new floors easy,” defines who we are as a company and highlights our dedication to our customers. At Empire, we have identified our core values as customers first; golden rule; teamwork; integrity; and results. While we have a national presence, we have not forgotten the local relationships and values that we were founded upon – by living the golden rule and upholding integrity in our work, communities, and our relationships with our customers, contractors, employees and vendors alike.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 246 words used.
Empire launched a cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system named Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365). In the past year, D365 was successfully launched in all markets nationwide. D365 has streamlined and simplified operation processes, by providing real-time availability and installer capacity information. As a result, and testament to our customers, D365 has improved customer delivery and reduced manual processes for employees.
Empire introduced Empire Service Plan (ESP), an additional three-year protection plan which gives our customers the ability to protect their purchases against accidents and issues that are not covered by other warranties, and provides two $100 credits towards professional carpet cleanings in years two and three of the customer’s plan – being the first service plan of its kind in the flooring industry. ESP is priced based on 10% of the customer’s total purchase and is now available to customers nationwide.
We delivered on our promise and dedication to our employees and contractors by providing additional benefit offerings. Empire now offers a contractor benefits platform – providing benefit enrollment: health, dental, vision, LTD, etc., and business perks such as: discounted tax assistance and business services, University tuition discounts and more. In addition, we were able to keep employee benefit options without premium increases for the 7th consecutive year.
We implemented a vaccination management system to deliver easy pictorial tools and increase transparency to the field organization. We were able to provide our employees with job protection through furloughs rather than reductions in force with paid benefits.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 215 words used.
We remain committed to the health and safety of our employees, contractors, and the customers we serve by closely following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our Call Center Facility turned fully virtual enabling work remote, increasing the talent pool, removing geographical limitations, and facilitating work life balance. Proceeding with a virtual shift, we noticed that our current systems and processes were not disrupted and have allowed us to continue to operate just as efficiently as being in the office.
Empire launched two new virtual customer service events: Customer Service monthly roundtable and Customer Service Office Hours, to better help our nationwide teams connect and learn from our central market support team. During these events we discuss best practices, new policies, and invite expert speakers to share their experience and suggestions. These events have been successful and serve as forums for current and new employees to post questions, discuss current issues, and receive immediate answers.
With over three million satisfied customers, Empire continues to build positive relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers through our ethical business practices. In 2021, Empire was able to streamline our processes to better help our customers. Empire would be honored to receive the 2022 Stevie Award for Company of the Year.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 116 words used.
Empire’s achievements and initiatives since January 1, 2021 include:
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system D365 D365 was successfully launched in all markets nationwide streamlining and simplifying the operation processes.
- COVID-19 Accommodations – Empire’s call center shifted completely virtual. Empire also added additional job protection benefits for all employees.
- Empire Service Plan (ESP) – Empire introduced ESP, a protection plan which gives our customers the ability to protect their purchases against accidents that are not covered by other warranties provided.
- Customer Service Events – Empire launched two new virtual customer service events: Customer Service Monthly Roundtable and Customer Service Office Hours, to better help our nationwide teams connect and learn from our central market support team.
| Attachments/Videos/Links: |
|---|
|
